understanding the world sure does sound like a subject that should be taught from an early age – add to that Zumba and you have one fantastic combination. While some may think nursery is too early of a stage for big achievements, modern educators believe in its importance, and they’re determined on making the most of kids’ time there.
“At Bright Kids Nursery, our curriculum is supported by neuroscience-based learning strategies that take into account the ways in which the brain develops at every stage,” says Karan Brown, associate director of education at KBBO Group.
“We create learning experiences that help build social skills, emotional control, fine motor abilities, as well as the recognition of symbols and patterns, numbers, language and habits, all in the interest of positively impacting a child’s development,” she adds.
An old-school mentality may have been prevalent until not so long ago – after all, the abacus is a perfectly valid learning tool. However, newer approaches are bringing elements to early years’ classrooms we’ve never seen before.
“One example of our innovative approach to learning is our coding programme for toddlers, Coding @ 2, through which they unravel the secrets of coding – all still part of a carefully mapped and age-appropriate curriculum,” says Brown.
“Outdoors, kids develop coding logic as they play real games – they learn to code while skipping and singing,” she explains.
Coding isn’t the only activity kids will engage in to the beat of the music – there’s also Zumba, which is also beneficial to tiny tots’ overall development.
“A universal language, dance makes it possible for people of different cultures to meet and form friendships. Dance in any form – whether it’s ballet, Zumba or freestyle, helps develop kinaesthetic, physical, mental, emotional and social intelligence. It also boosts happiness and improves creativity,” says Brown.
“At Bright Kids Nursery, we find that dance also helps kids learn the gross motor skills required for coordination and control that are so essential in the early years.”
According to modern education experts, a nursery needs to provide a stimulating learning environment to encourage the development of cognitive, psycho-motor and social skills, as well as promote confidence and independence in kids.
“While students should be encouraged to imagine, play, be creative and collaborate, they should also learn to take responsibility, make decisions and solve problems,” highlights Brown.
This is not to dismiss the benefits of going back to basics. Educators and parents need to always work together to create or adapt sets of early learning activities to teach toddlers new skills and routines. These include highly visual activities that show the toddler how to engage with toys (blocks, farm animals) and participate in play.
Initial, simple activities, for example, typically have a very clear beginning and end, include a sensory component like preferred sounds or textures and build on the toddler’s strengths first.
All parties need to work together in order to informally assess the toddler throughout their education jounrey, ensuring that activities target emerging skills, and that they’re individualised enough to meet their needs – whatever those may be.
Don’t worry, Mums and Dads, they’re not “learning too much”, they’re acquiring new sets of skills that will help them grow into the individuals you’d love for them to be. Plus, we wouldn’t mind challenging the kiddies to a Zumba dance-off or coding tournament.
Bright Kids Nursery, various locations across Abu Dhabi including Khalifa City A (02 445 3411).
